Harvest 2017!

Harvest started early this morning! The pickers arrived before daybreak and finished their coffee in their cars. The sun came up and all were working!

We quickly started filling the totes set up on the trailer.

Each of the 4 totes take about 600 lbs. of fruit.

The pickers each have a card that is punched for every 2 buckets they dump into the tote. There is a lot of camaraderie as pickers compete with each other to pick the most buckets. It always surprises me how quickly the totes are filled, how hard everyone works and how much laughter there is.

We pick out the leaves as the buckets are dumped.

If under ripe fruit was picked, that is also tossed out! Good opportunity to do quality control.

Max is driving tractor this year. As he runs one load to the winery the pickers are filling the next set of totes. We try and finish picking by about 11am. That keeps the fruit cool and fresh.

It is only a quick trip and the fruit arrives at the winery to be processed!

This morning we picked 8 tons – 4 trailers. Now the totes are ready to be spread out for tomorrow morning!

If possible we’ll treat you to freshly squeezed grape juice as you experience the harvest. Come join in the fun.

About

Winter's Hill is an Estate winery located in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. The Gladhart family owns and operates Winter's Hill, from managing the vineyard and the rest of our farm, to making our wines, to greeting you in the tasting room when you come to visit...